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add key concepts to usage.md (#11485)

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David Crespo 2024-09-29 21:06:24 -05:00 • committed by GitHub
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@ -7,3 +7,27 @@ can be accessed via the command `hx --tutor` or `:tutor`.
> 💡 Currently, not all functionality is fully documented, please refer to the
> [key mappings](./keymap.md) list.
## Modes
Helix is a modal editor, meaning it has different modes for different tasks. The main modes are:
* [Normal mode](./keymap.md#normal-mode): For navigation and editing commands. This is the default mode.
* [Insert mode](./keymap.md#insert-mode): For typing text directly into the document. Access by typing `i` in normal mode.
* [Select/extend mode](./keymap.md#select--extend-mode): For making selections and performing operations on them. Access by typing `v` in normal mode.
## Buffers
Buffers are in-memory representations of files. You can have multiple buffers open at once. Use [pickers](./pickers.md) or commands like `:buffer-next` and `:buffer-previous` to open buffers or switch between them.
## Selection-first editing
Inspired by [Kakoune](http://kakoune.org/), Helix follows the `selection → action` model. This means that whatever you are going to act on (a word, a paragraph, a line, etc.) is selected first and the action itself (delete, change, yank, etc.) comes second. A cursor is simply a single width selection.
## Multiple selections
Also inspired by Kakoune, multiple selections are a core mode of interaction in Helix. For example, the standard way of replacing multiple instance of a word is to first select all instances (so there is one selection per instance) and then use the change action (`c`) to edit them all at the same time.
## Motions
Motions are commands that move the cursor or modify selections. They're used for navigation and text manipulation. Examples include `w` to move to the next word, or `f` to find a character. See the [Movement](./keymap.md#movement) section of the keymap for more motions.